The Las Vegas Raiders have announced the signing of two players to their practice squad following injury setbacks during their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. One of the new additions is K’Lavon Chaisson, a former first-round pick and defensive end.
The Raiders are dealing with several injuries, particularly on defense. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce was ruled out of the Chargers game due to a knee injury and has since been placed on injured reserve. His absence meant that the team relied heavily on 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson to take on additional snaps. Unfortunately, Wilson also sustained a knee sprain during the game. While his injury is not expected to be long-term, the Raiders felt the need to strengthen their depth at defensive end.
To address this, the Raiders signed K’Lavon Chaisson to their practice squad. Chaisson, who was drafted 20th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft, brings valuable experience.
He has played in 57 career games with 11 starts, accumulating 72 tackles (47 solo), five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and two passes defensed. His addition provides the Raiders with an experienced player who could soon be elevated to the active roster to contribute during regular-season games.
In addition to Chaisson, the Raiders also signed cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, a Las Vegas native, to their practice squad. Kelly was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Washington Commanders before joining the Raiders. Kelly has appeared in eight NFL games, recording five tackles and one tackle for loss. His ability to provide depth in special teams could prove crucial for the Raiders this season.
Both Chaisson and Kelly will have three days of practice, Wednesday through Friday, to prepare for the Raiders’ Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. With the team facing injury challenges, these signings offer vital reinforcements for the upcoming games.
Leave a Reply